fungus

noun

fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs How to pronounce fungus (audio)
plural fungi ˈfən-ˌjī How to pronounce fungus (audio) ˈfəŋ-ˌgī How to pronounce fungus (audio) also funguses ˈfəŋ-gə-səz How to pronounce fungus (audio)
often attributive
: any of a kingdom (Fungi) of saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotic typically filamentous organisms formerly classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts

Examples of fungus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Other nutrients made the fungi develop a water-repellent surface. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 Copper and zinc woven into the fabric inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 And the southern house mosquitoes were night feeders that chose people based on individual microbiomes —the bacteria, fungi, and microbes that live on the skin. — ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026 Remember that plants will derive their nutrients from the soil, and microbes in the soil — think bacteria, fungi and earthworms — make those nutrients available to plants. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fungus

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fungus was in 1527

Phrases Containing fungus

Rhymes for fungus

See All Rhymes for fungus

Browse Nearby Words

fungous
fungus
fungused
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fungus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fungus. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fungus

noun
fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs How to pronounce fungus (audio)
plural fungi ˈfən-ˌjī How to pronounce fungus (audio) ˈfəŋ-ˌgī How to pronounce fungus (audio) also funguses
1
: any of a kingdom of living things (as molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, and mushrooms) that lack chlorophyll, are parasitic or live on dead or decaying organic matter, and were formerly considered plants
2
: infection with a fungus
fungus adjective

Medical Definition

fungus

noun
fun·​gus ˈfəŋ-gəs How to pronounce fungus (audio)
plural fungi
ˈfən-ˌjī also ˈfəŋ-ˌgī
 also funguses ˈfəŋ-gə-səz How to pronounce fungus (audio)
often attributive
1
: any of the kingdom Fungi of saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotic typically filamentous organisms formerly classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts
2
: infection with a fungus

More from Merriam-Webster on fungus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fungus

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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